Blue and Gold Macaw

(Ara ararauna)

Description

A large species of parrot, the blue and gold macaw is almost entirely bright aqua blue on the top parts and golden yellow on the under parts, hence its name. They have a creamy white face, with distinct black feather lines and a green forehead.

Habitat & Distribution

The canopy layer of the rainforest in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

Diet

A range of fruits, nuts, seeds and occasionally flowers and leaf buds. They will also occasionally eat clay from riverbanks to supplement their diet.

Conservation Status

Least concern.

Did you know?

On average these parrots will live for 70-80 years, although the oldest one we know of got to 106!

Blue-and-gold macaws mate for life. Pairs can often be seen flying high above the rainforest with wings almost touching. It is thought that this flight may reinforce the bond between the two.

Whilst feeding, macaws allow plenty of seeds to fall to the forest floor (whilst eating and also in their droppings), which helps to generate much of the forest growth, making them extremely important in the forest ecosystem.